Luckily, this year just happened to serve up exactly what they desire.

If you’re strolling around peeking at neighbors’ gardens, wondering just what that gorgeous stuff that has just begun to bloom is (chances are good that at this time of year, it’s not much bigger than a crocus or a snowdrop), you want to get a peek at genial Brit Anna Pavord’s giant, photo-licious tome, “Bulbs.” If you’re strolling in the Denver Botanic Gardens in the next few days, keep your eyes out for the stunning little reticulated iris, “Pauline.” I have reticulated irises, too, and their little noses are up above the ground — but no blooms yet.

And then, come fall when you’re buying and planting bulbs, just remember: Be lavish. You deserve it.

And come the gray, brown, gray time of early spring, you’ll want it. And maybe even need it.

Designer Consuelo Castiglioni was busy last week showing her fall-winter Marni collection to press and buyers in Milan, but closer to home, H&M is about ready to unveil the designer’s creations for its stores.

Starting Thursday, a spring lineup of women’s and men’s clothing, as well as accessories, will be in select H&M locations, including the Denver Pavilions store on the 16th Street Mall.

Marni fans are addicted to the line’s prints, offbeat proportions and ways of mixing rather than matching clothes.